Thursday, April 21, 2005
Are the Cavs committed to a championship?
The Cavs meteoric fall from a playoff spot has obviously left a sour taste with Lebron James as rumors continue to swirl that he will bolt from his hometown team once he becomes a free agent in 2 years . . . we will now see if the Cavs are truly serious about winning a title or is this once again lip service from another Clevelander . . .
If the Cavs are serious about keeping Lebron and winning a championship, then they need to show it by putting down the money and committing to Phil Jackson . . . I don't want to hear names like Flip Saunders, Mo Cheeks, Jim Calhoun, etc, etc, etc . . . don't get me wrong, these are all good coaches . . . however, they don't bring that instant credibility like the name Phil Jackson . . . when you sign Phil Jackson then you make a statement to the rest of the league that you are committed to winning . . .
Money is not the only thing that will make Jackson commit to Cleveland . . . the Cavs ownership must also secure another quality player or two in order to help Lebron . . . Jackson is not coming to Cleveland if the owners don't promise to get him the parts he needs in order to win . . . Lebron himself cannot do it . . . over the last month it is clear that Lebron is the type of player who can take over a game -- but he also needs help such as a Scottie Pippen-like player who can score and play defense . . . Lebron is taking them as far as he can by himself -- he needs help which means the Cavs have to open the wallet . . .
When Cleveland drafted Lebron they had to understand that they have to spend not only on him, but for other quality players as well in order to keep him happy to stay in Cleveland . . . Lebron is not going to give the Cavs a "hometown" discount . . . ask the Indians if Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, and Jim Thome gave them a "hometown discount". . .
The ball is in the Cavs court -- the best coach is out there for their taking -- but will we once again wait to see if another Cleveland sports team refuses to put up the money in order to make a full out effort to win a championship . . .
The clock is ticking . . .
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Draft thoughts
- ESPN reports that the Redskins are hot for Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell . . .
- I think the 49ers are bluffing about taking Alex Smith at number one . . .
- Minnesota will not sit pat at number 7 because they covet either Braylon Edwards or Mike Williams . . .
- Someone is going to drop -- will that be Cadillac Williams, Pac Man Jones, or Cedric Benson? . . .
- This is the best draft in years because of the uncertainty . . .
- I'm not sold on Aaron Rogers or Alex Smith . . .
- Maurice Clarett will get drafted - why not? . . . I would gamble on the kid in the fifth or sixth round . . . you have nothing to lose . . . if he is a lunkhead in training camp -- you cut him . . . Clarett may be able to play in the NFL if he is in the right situation . . . it would be best for him to get drafted by a team far away from Ohio . . . he would fit well with Arizona because Denny Green is used to dealing with lunkheads (ala Moss) . . .
- Remember when Auburn's Aundray Bruce was the first pick of the draft . . .
- If the Browns draft Braylon Edwards, they will have two weapons next season . . . don't forget they also have Kellen Winslow . . . suddenly the Browns could become a bit dangerous . . .
NFL Draft Preview - New England Patriots
Despite being the defending champions, the Pats have some holes to fill . . . New England lost Joe Andruzzi on the offensive line, Ty Law at corner, and Roman Phifer at linebacker due to free agency/salary cap casualties . . . then there was the unexpected health condition of linebacker Tedi Bruschi, who may not play this season . . .
This team has some work to do during Saturday's draft . . . speculation from the draft experts indicate the Patriots will be going with a cornerback with the last pick of the first round (number 32 overall) . . . that may be the wise move, but much like the Steelers who also have concerns at corner, there is an abundance of depth at corner in this year's draft, so don't be surprised if the Patriots look elsewhere in the first round . . .
It would not surprise me if the Patriots selected Michigan offensive lineman David Baas because of his versatality on the line . . . Baas started at guard for the Wolverines then moved to center last season and was co-winner of the Rimington Award . . . Baas has been impressive during workouts and has a the mean streak that offensive linemen need . . .
Everything may be pointing to the Patriots taking a cornerback at number 32, but don't be surprised if they go with Baas or another offensive lineman . . .
Death of two sports figures
Also on Monday, former college basketball coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines died from complications of stroke which he suffered on Saturday . . . Gaines, who was 81-years-old, coached for 47 seasons at Winston-Salem State where he rang up 828 wins which ranks him fifth all-time on the NCAA career list behind Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp, Bob Knight, and Jim Phelan . . .
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Deceiving score
Wright pitched 5.1 innings and gave up 11 hits and 8 earned runs . . . as I have said before, and will continue to say throughout the season, New York made a big mistake by giving this head case a three-year contract worth $7 million a year . . . he was garbage in Cleveland and lucky in Atlanta . . .
Take away the 13 runs that were scored in the second inning, and the Yanks lose 8-6 . . . The Boss should not be pleased with what he has seen from his pitching staff so far this season . . . tonight Randy Johnson starts for the Bombers . . . he has been unimpressive so far this year . . .
Monday, April 18, 2005
There is only 1 Kojak
This past weekend I bought the first season of the original Kojak at DVD . . . Savalas was one smooth dude as Kojak . . . also starring on the show was Savalas' brother who played Stavros, another NYPD detective . . .
Funny thing though, I've watched seven episodes and he has yet to put a lollipop in his mouth and say "Who Loves Ya, Baby"
Telly Savalas was a man among men
NBC gets back on the field
The Boss irked at team's awful play
Sunday, April 17, 2005
NFL Draft Preview - Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a good spot at number 30 . . . if by some chance a player slides, the Steelers could be there waiting with open arms to grab him . . . who could forget when the Miami Dolphins snatched up a quarterback named Marino late in the first round after he kept sliding . . .
Otherwise, the Steelers need to improve their cornerbacks . . . Deshea Townsend and Willie Williams are the starters and second year corner Ricardo Colclough is a future starter . . . but the Steelers are one injury away from trouble at this position . . . and who is to say that Townsend and Williams play as well as they did last year . . .
The two studs coming out of college at the corner position are Pac Man Jones from West Virginia and Antrel Rolle from Miami – these guys will be long gone by the time Pittsburgh selects at number 30 . . . Auburn’s Carlos Rogers is the next rated corner, however some pre-draft sheets have Rogers being taken as early as number 15 to Kansas City and as late as the last pick in the first round . . . more than likely Rogers will be off the board by number 30 . . . if he is there – take him!!
That leaves Bill Cowher with a plethora of next level corners such as Fabian Washington, Marlin Jackson, Justin Miller, and Eric Green . . . because of the depth at this position in the draft, the Steelers may go another direction if Rogers if off the board and wait to snag a corner later in the draft . . .
Mel Kiper has the Steelers taking tight end Heath Miller from Virginia . . . however, I can see Cowher rolling the dice here and reaching a bit to take the multi-talented Matt Jones from Arkansas . . . Jones, who is 6-6 and ran the 40 in 4.40, was a quarterback at Arkansas and is projected as either a tight end or wide receiver in the NFL . . . a few months ago Jones was looking at being selected in the fifth round, but he has been impressive in individual workouts . . . he is a work in progress, but the type of player Cowher likes ala Slash Stewart, Hines Ward, and Antwaan Randle El . . .
The Steelers go with Jones here . . .
As far as addressing their need at corner, the Steelers can draft some raw talent later in draft by taking someone like Karl Paymah from Washington State or Stanford Routt from Houston . . . both players have size and great speed . . . there is also Daven Holley from Cincinnati . . . remember, last year in the second round Pittsburgh took Colclough from a little known school . . .
I see the Steelers draft shaking down like this:
30th pick - Matt Jones, wr/te, Arkansas
62nd pick - best cornerback
93rd pick - best running back
Next I preview the defending champion New England Patriots
NFL Draft Preview - Cleveland Browns
In less than a week the third new era of the "new" Cleveland Browns will begin . . . there was the failed tenure of Chris Palmer and Dwight Clark . . . then came the knight in shining armor, Butch Davis and his can-do ego . . . now the Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage era begins with their first NFL draft as the head honchos of the Browns . . .
General manager Savage has a decision to make . . . all pre-draft sites point to the Browns taking Utah quarterback Alex Smith . . . however, I’m not sold on this pick . . . first round quarterbacks are a dime a dozen and a risk unless your name is Peyton Manning or Carson Palmer . . . I think it is even a bigger risk taking a quarterback with a pick as high as the third overall . . . this year's draft does not have a stud q.b. to justify taking him at number 3 . . .
Look at some of the quarterbacks who have led their team to the Super Bowl in recent years: Brady, Delhomme, Warner, Collins, Gannon, Dilfer . . . who was that last guy? . . . yeh, Trent Dilfer who is now the Browns quarterback . . . I know that Dilfer and Collins were first round draft choices, but they made it to the Super Bowl after they flopped with their original team was claimed off the scrap heap . . . in this year’s draft, a quarterback would be a good choice if the Browns had, say the 10th or 14th overall pick, not the 3rd overall pick . . .
In what direction does boy genius Savage go? . . .
All signs point that the Dolphins will pick Auburn workhorse running back Ronnie Brown with the second pick . . . . unless Nick Saban is throwing up a smoke screen, this looks like a done deal . . . however, if Saban is bluffing and passes on Brown, then Cleveland should not hesitate and take the Auburn back . . . since returning in 1999, the Browns lacked a true stud in the backfield . . . William Green was a risky pick a few years back because of his off-the-field problems . . .
Also, I am not sold on newly acquired back Rueben Droughns from Denver . . . is Droughns the real deal or is he another by-product of the Denver running system, such as Olandis Gary and Clinton Portis? . . . if Brown is there – take him . . . if Brown is slow to develop, Savage has himself an insurance policy in Droughns and Lee Suggs . . .
Realistically though, it looks like Brown will be a Dolphin . . . so what now? . . .
The Browns could trade down and acquire additional draft picks . . . that may be the smart move . . . this team has a lot of holes to fill . . . they need another offensive lineman and they could snatch an Alex Barron or Jammal Brown in the mid-first round . . . they also need a linebacker and Texas’ Derrick Johnson leads the list . . . he could possibly be taken around the 8th to 11th pick . . . to take him at number three would be a reach . . . Savage could slide down a bit and gamble that Johnson would be there at 7, 8 or 9 . . .
Maybe a trade could be made with Minnesota at number 7 being that the Vikings want either Braylon Edwards or Mike Williams at wide receiver . . . and it is quite possible both could be gone by then . . .
If the Browns cannot work a deal and are stuck with the third pick they may have to look at a playmaker such as Edwards . . . yes Browns fans, you may have to root for a Michigan player . . . since 1999, the Browns have draft a ton of average receivers who turned out to be busts . . . I’m sorry, but Dennis Northcutt and Andre Davis do not strike fear in cornerbacks . . . Edwards would be the first bona fide stud at a skill position for the Browns in many years . . .
If the Browns stay with the third pick, I say take Edwards . . .
In the second round Cleveland can address their need for a future quarterback by taking Auburn’s Jason Campbell . . . Campbell has been impressive since leading the Tigers to a perfect season in 2004 . . . he has also impressed the NFL teams during workouts . . . if Campbell is gone by the 34th pick, then Cleveland could look to build their offensive line by taking a David Baas, Ray Willis or Chris Spencer . . .
They should not consider taking Akron quarterback Charlie Frye just because he is from northeast Ohio . . . reports indicate that Frye has small hands and lacks zip on the ball . . . if Campbell is gone, the Browns should hold off and consider taking former Florida State quarterback Adrian McPherson or Georgia q.b. David Greene later . . .
McPherson has all the tools to be a stud, but he has a checkered past while in Tallahassee . . . it seems that McPherson finally has his head on straight and could be a steal in round 3 or 4 . . .
Predictions:
3rd overall pick - Braylon Edwards, wr, Michigan
34th overall pick - Jason Campbell, qb, Auburn
67th overall pick - Chris Canty, dl, Virginia
103rd overall pick - best offensive lineman on the board
During the course of the week I will be previewing Saturday’s NFL Draft . . . my next column will be a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers
Friday, April 15, 2005
Baseball Tidbits
The Cubs Dusty Baker preaches to reporters
Happy McBirthday
- Ray Kroc may have been the founder McDonald's, but he wasn't alone in hatching his idea of fast food burgers . . . Richard and Maurice McDonald were pioneers of McDonald's and the quick service restaurant industry . . . Kroc was the founder of McDonald's Corporation . . . Richard and Maurice McDonald converted their barbecue drive-in with car hops into the world's first McDonald's limited-menu, self-service, drive-in in 1948, in San Bernardino, California . . . in 1954, Ray Kroc was granted exclusive U.S. franchising rights by the brothers . . . he opened his first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois in April 1955
- McDonald's first mascot was not Ronald McDonald -- it was "Speedee" a smiling chef with a hamburger head
- Willard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald
- In 1955 a hamburger cost 15 cents and fries were 10 cents
- The famous Big Mac was introduced in 1968 by Jim Delligatti, one of Ray Kroc's earliest franchisees, who by the late 1960s operated a dozen stores in Pittsburgh
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Odds on the next Pope
CURRENT ODDS
A realiable source has provided me with the current odds in Antigua . . . as of this morning, Dionigi Tettamanzi is the favorite -- a $10 bet would get you $20 . . . here are the frontrunners:
Tettamanzi (Italy) - $10 to win $20
Francis Arinze (Nigeria) - 10/30
Oscar Rodriguez Maradiago (Honduras) - 10/50
Joseph Ratzinger (Germany) - 10/50
Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino (Cuba) - 10/100
Also, if you still have a few more bucks and want to bet on what will be the name of the next Pope, here are your odds on that:
Benedict - 10/30
John - 10/30
John Paul - 10/50
Pius - 10/60
Andrew - 10/100
The odds on the next Pope being over 70 years old is high - you have to place $30 just to win $10 . . .
Get to your piggy banks and let the betting begin!!
Health Minute - The top killers in men and women
1. Heart disease - most people think cancer is the top killer in women - NOT!
2. Cancer
3. Stroke
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - example - bronchitis, emphysema
5. Alzheimer's disease
6. Diabetes
7. Accidents
The leading cause of death in men are as follows:
1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Accidents
4. Stroke
5. COPD
6. Diabetes
7. Influenza and pneumonia
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Clinton finds a friend
The Kings get their Rings - Boston Globe
Yankees show class - N.Y. Daily News
Kids cuss too much - Washington Post
A look back at Tiger's run - Washington Post
Sunday, April 10, 2005
One week complete
On the Indians
- Aaron Boone may be a steal for the Tribe . . . he played well in the field and is hitting at the plate . . . general manager Mark Shapiro did well by signing the injured Boone last August
- he may never be an All-Star, but Casey Blake is just a plain ole simple baseball player . . . this guy can play any position . . . offensively, he is a solid hitter
- the Tribe propoganda team (aka Cleveland media) built up shortstop Jhonny (yes it is spelled that way) Peralta during spring training . . . he was supposed to be the next Barry Larkin . . . through four games played, Peralta has committed four errors . . . it's funny how the Cleveland media failed to mention that Peralta is a liability in the field
- the Indians better hope that Dave Riske and Arthur Rhodes can close games because Bob Wickman will not make it through the entire season as a closer
By the way, whatever happened to John Rocker? . . .
On the Yankees
- from day one I have stated that the Yankees made a mistake by signing pitcher Jaret Wright . . . Wright had one good season -- and that was last year in the National League . . . 1 good season!!! . . . Wright is a headcase who couldn't handle the pressure when the Indians fans got on his case -- what is he going to do when the New York fans start on him? . . .
- the Yankees Mariano Rivera better get ready to hear the chant "Who's your daddy" during his next appearance at Fenway Park . . . the Red Sox have gotten into the head of the greatest closer of all time
- Bernie Williams is in the last year of his contract with the team . . . he has gotten off to a terrible start batting .063 and has stranded runners in scoring position often
Other nuggets
- Tampa Bay's Jorge Cantu had three homers during the week . . . I say he won't finish with 20 on the year . . .
- are the Angels officially the Los Angeles Angels???? . . . I lost track . . .
Series of the Week
Yankees @ Red Sox - the Yankees head into Fenway on Monday after beating the World Champs 2 out 3 last week . . . on Monday the Sox players get their World Series rings and raise the championship banner . . . the Yankees players should sit in the dugout and watch the ceremony to refresh their memories after choking last October . . . here are the possible pitching match-ups
Monday - Mussina vs. Wakefield - Yankees win
Wednesday - Wright vs. Arroyo - Red Sox win
Thursday - Johnson vs. Schilling - Yankees win
Prediction - Yankees will take 2 of the 3 games
Monday, April 04, 2005
Final Call
These two teams have been eyeing each other since December....both teams can claim they are a team of "destiny"....these are the two best teams in the country.....Carolina has a great inside game with Sean May, but I have seen them struggle from the three point stripe quite often this year which could come back to hurt them....
Even though they beat Louisville on Saturday, I think the Illini relied a bit much on Dee Brown, Luther Head, and Deron Williams shooting the three ball.....Illinois has to get a bit more points in the paint tonight....
My pick is Illinois because of the three-headed monster of Brown, Head, and Williams
Illinois 87-81
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For more information on the Master's golf tournament this week, check out it's website:
Sunday, April 03, 2005
National League Predictions
East
1. Marlins - the Fishies are back -- they added Delgado for power and Leiter for depth on the staff -- if Beckett and Burnett can pitch to their potential, the Fish will contend for best record in N.L.
2. Braves - everyone learned a lesson last year -- never ever count out Atlanta as long as Bobby Cox and Leo Mazzone are in the dugout -- 45-year-old Julio Franco is a freak of nature
3. Mets - Omar Minaya made some noise in his first off-season as the new G.M. -- Pedro and Beltran give the Flushing crowd something to get excited about -- the young third baseman Wright is supposed to be a STUD -- Mets hurt themselves though by trading young pitcher Kazmir last July -- that will bite them for many years to come
4. Phillies - Jimmy Rollins is the best shortstop in the National League -- Thome is good for about 45 boomers -- Phils will trade closer Billy Wagner for prospects
5. Nationals - baseball is back in D.C.!!!!!
Central
1. Cardinals - they now have Mark Mulder on the pitching staff -- Rolen is still nursing injuries at third base -- they have a new middle infield too -- but Cards win division
2. Astros - the loss of Berkman hurts -- the loss of Beltran hurts -- that equals a second place finish
3. Cubs - this is the most frustrating team -- they have a great 1-2-3 on the staff in Prior, Woods, and Zambrano -- but the first two are always hurt -- the Cubs will feel the loss of Moises Alou more than the loss of Sammy
4. Pirates - the Bucs played with a lot of spirit last year -- maybe, just maybe they can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel
5. Brewers - in two years the Brewhahas will win the division -- they have a stud pitcher in Sheets -- three young studs coming up Fielder (1b), Weeks (2b). Hardy (ss) -- watch this team
6. Reds - this team has no hope
West
1. Padres - I had the Giants to win this division until Bonds began pouting -- Jake Peavy is a young solid starter -- the Padres will win by playing small ball in this spacious park
2. Giants - I love the acquisition of Moises Alou -- if Bonds was here, the Giants may win everything -- but who knows what is going on
3. Dodgers - Dodgers take a step back after making the playoffs last year
4. Diamondbacks - spent some money to get the fans interested again -- still a work in progress
5. Rockies - besides Todd Helton and Preston Wilson, I can't name anyone else on this team -- the Rockies should be contracted -- no one cares about baseball in Denver
NLDS
Cardinals over Braves
Marlins over Padres
NLCS
Marlins over Cardinals
World Series
Yankees over Marlins
American League Predictions
East
1. Yankees - the Yanks win the East -- but Boston still gets the wildcard -- Giambi will improve this season now that he got rid of all those muscles -- A. Rod will win the MVP
2. Red Sox - the Beantown Boys want to show that last year was not a fluke
3. Devil Rays - B.J. Upton is one of the best youngsters in the game -- Aubrey Huff is the best unknown player in the game -- Devil Rays will improve -- Kazmir is a good young arm
4. Orioles - one and done in Baltimore for Sammy
5. Blue Jays - who are half of these players?
Central
1. Tigers - I am not drunk -- the Tigers will win the division -- they have good young pitchers in Bonderman and Maroth -- Magglio and Pudge are a solid in the 3-4 hole -- Dimitri Young adds the spirit ala Boston's Kevin Millar
2. Twins - Minnesota loses Koskie and Guzman -- Twins will be a good team -- but its the Tigers year
3. Indians - somehow the Indians feel they will automatically win this division this year -- team still lacks a true number 1 starter and is depending on a creaky armed closer
4. White Sox - this team just can't get over the hump -- it seems like Frank Thomas is always hurt -- Buerhle and Garcia are good 1-2 pitchers -- but that is all
5. Royals - two years ago this team looked like they were making a move -- it was a fluke -- Tony Pena is a good manager though -- just stuck in a bad situation
West
1. Angels - Anaheim got a taste of the playoffs once again last season -- they will make a trade in the summer to acquire another ace -- will F. Rod be able to hold down the closer's job, if so, the Angels will be fine
2. Rangers - Texas showed life last season as they contended until just after Labor Day -- Mark Texiera is the best young hitter in the game -- a future MVP
3. Athletics - too many changes -- you don't get rid of Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder and think you can still win the division -- NO WAY!
4. Mariners - give the owner credit -- he went out and got Sexson and Beltre -- this team will contend next year
ALDS
Red Sox over Angels
Yankees over Tigers
ALCS
Yankees over Red Sox
Pope John Paul II
For 15 years (1963-1978), Pope John VI ruled the Catholic church....after his death in 1978, the new pontiff, John Paul I, was set to usher in a new era.....but that era never happened as the new pope died suddenly of a heart attack after just one month as the leader of the Catholic church....
The Cardinals reconvened and ended a 400 year reign of Italian popes when they selected a 58-year-old Cardinal from Poland named Karol Wojtyla who became known as Pope John Paul II.....
For 26 years Pope John Paul II crossed boundaries and creeds to preach peace.....he traveled to African nations to South American nations.....he was hailed by Fidel Castro in Cuba and the Jewish leadership in Israel......he was an extraordinary man who will be missed....
Being Greek Orthodox, the pope is not the leader of my religion.....however, a person's religion cannot deter the fact that John Paul II was a genuine man who cared about people no matter who they were.....
Totus tuus -- totally yours